GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Two games into his first excursion in the Primera División, Southern Californian Joe Benny Corona is off to a flying start. But the midfielder would gladly give up his two goals if it meant that his team, Club Tijuana, could get some points on the board in Mexico's top flight.
“We are all playing with the same objective and if I get to score, it's great, but the team comes first,” said the 21-year-old Corona in a club press release.
The winger has grabbed headlines early this season thanks to two goals in two games and is certain the Xolos can put get things together and qualify for the postseason playoffs despite having lost on both occassions.
“We are calm," said Corona. "The team still needs to gel a little, but we are going to be fine. We are sure that we'll qualify and we're going to do everything possible to start winning points.”
The fact that Corona has the possibility of playing at international level for three countries — his native US, his father's home country of Mexico or his mother's El Salvador — has increased interest in the player. It was reported in late July that the Salvadoran federation had approached Corona, who responded by asking for time to get accustomed to life in the Primera División — which he seems to be doing very quickly — before deciding.
Corona went down in Club Tijuana history after scoring the team's first-ever goal in the Primera División against Morelia on July 23.
Tom Marshall can be reached at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com or via Twitter: @mexicoworldcup
